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Gee leaves a mark on West Virginia

Editorials

Imagine a career in which you personally celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of more than 335,000 young (and some older) men and women. That’s the mark retiring West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee set Sunday when he conferred degrees to graduates of WVU’s final three colleges — the College of Applied Human Sciences, the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Sciences and the Eberly Colleges of Arts and Sciences —during ceremonies at the Coliseum. Gee offered graduates words of wisdom accumulated over 43 years as a college president at ...

Celebrate successes, don’t stop fighting

Editorials

West Virginia’s deadly substance abuse epidemic has become significantly less so lately. According to the National Center for Health Statistics through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a 43.5% decrease in overdose deaths in the state over the past year. “That’s great news and it’s really unprecedented,” Dr. Matthew Christiansen, chief medical officer for Valley Health and a former state public health officer, told WV MetroNews. It is wonderful news, yes, but it begs the questions: What has changed? And are use rates as high as they ever ...

Brownfield funding has been beneficial

Editorials

It is good news, indeed, to hear more brownfield assessment funding will be making its way to our region. Officials with the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission announced Monday that the Brooke-Hancock Region IX Regional Planning and Development Council has been awarded a $1.2 million assessment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The funds, which are eligible for use in Hancock and Brooke counties in West Virginia, and Jefferson County in Ohio, will assist with the costs of conducting an analysis of targeted properties – in this case, ...

Addressing state’s abandoned wells

Editorials

Abandoned oil and gas wells have been a problem in West Virginia for more than a century. Lawmakers did the right thing during the most recent regular session by passing House Bill 3336, which allows operators to fill wells with cement without having to remove the central casing. That might not mean much to a lot of us, but the process is said to be easier, cheaper and safer. It could also help protect groundwater, and with staying on top of modern efforts. “It gives accounting for the casings that are put in,” said Del. Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, “the double casings that are ...

Congratulations Weirton Hall of Fame class

Editorials

Many of our communities have halls of fame, established to recognize the contributions of generations of residents who have sought to better their hometowns. One such hall of fame recently announced their 2025 inductees, and we take this time to offer our congratulations. The Weirton Hall of Fame was established by Weirton Council in 2008 to honor “outstanding accomplishments” in six categories: Business, Industry and Professions; Education and Religion; Music and Fine Arts; Philanthropy; Public Service; and Sports and Athletics. A committee, comprised of volunteers, annually ...

Congratulations Class of 2025

Editorials

Young men and women up and down the Ohio Valley are preparing to take their final steps as high school students in the coming days. Many are taking their final examinations, clearing out their lockers, seeing their teachers, and many of their classmates, for the final time. They have their caps and gowns and are preparing to walk across the stage to receive their diploma. The ceremony is but a relatively brief moment in their lives, but an important one nonetheless, because of what it signifies. To those high school seniors, this is a milestone moment in your lives. You are ...